Vertical Fitness Center Stair Tower System

ABSTRACT

The vertical fitness center stair tower system is an exercise device intended to provide users with an indoor climate-controlled stair tower, where they can obtain a cardio workout and lower body strengthen in comfort, away from the weather elements, (heat, rain, snow and cold weather) and exercise in a safe facility away from the harm of motor vehicles. Accordingly, the system comprises a tower structure with multiple floors, multiple staircases connecting each floor, and convenient interconnecting landings. Further, the system comprises multiple electric, electronic, entertainment, and HVAC systems that enable users to have a comfortable and enjoyable work out session. Furthermore, a security system with emergency buttons, and a plurality of lighting devices integrated into the tower structure, projects a safe workout place. Thus, the device provides a safe, well lit, less traffic, and comfortable environment in the vertical exercise system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a physical, non-mechanical exercisedevice. More specifically, the present invention relates to a physicalexercise device with stairs composed of multiple staircases designed toexercise various muscles in the user's legs, hips and body core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An exercise device with stairs designed to exercise various muscles inthe user's legs, hips and body core is in demand.

There are many kinds of mechanical exercise devices available on themarket, most devices designed to exercise the legs, hips and core,include stationary bikes, tread mills and stair stepper, that do notcall into action all the lower body muscles, buttocks and core, likephysical stairclimbing. Exercise machines can be suitable for dailyexercise by people not recovering from a physical injury, but thesedevices can be inappropriate for people recovering from heart, back orleg injuries. Stairclimbing allows for a low impact way to exercisewhile in the rehabilitation stage of injury recovery.

The benefits of regular exercise for individuals of any age are welldocumented in fitness science. Taking the stairs is an easily availabletype of physical activity that requires no special training orequipment. Stair climbing forces the body in an upward motion againstgravity, activating the largest muscle group in the body, the gluteusmaximus (the three muscles in the buttock that move the thigh muscles),abdominal muscles, hips (consider the core) and the quadriceps, femoris(thigh muscles), and hamstrings. Climbing stairs requires the usage ofthe body's largest muscles against gravity, requiring more energy andbuilding greater stamina. Climbing stairs is the best exercise forbuilding heart stamina, burn fat, strengthen the legs and lower bodymuscles, buttocks, thighs and calves. When compared to running andwalking, stair climbing burns more calories and stimulates all the lowerbody muscles. Stair climbing is an activity that the elderly and youngcan enjoy at any time. However, a common problem noticed is that mostpeople do not have access to stair towers to exercise daily. Further,normal staircases have a traffic flow problem, and are a single set ofstairs with intermittent landings and no interconnecting landings. Thesestructural issues make it inconvenient to exercise on stairs constructedfor emergency evacuation, usually one way down. Thus, anexercise-oriented staircase structure that is not crowded, and which canprovide all the comforts needed for a comfortable workout session is arare find in the current market.

The present invention is intended to address problems associated withand otherwise improve on conventional systems and devices through aninnovative stair exercise device designed to provide a convenient andeffective means to exercise while incorporating other problem-solvingfeatures. In other words, an objective of the present invention is toprovide users with an indoor climate-controlled stair tower, where theycan obtain a cardio workout and lower body strengthen in comfort, awayfrom the weather elements, (heat, rain, snow and cold weather) andexercise in a safe facility away from the harm of motor vehicles.Accordingly, the present invention comprises a tower structure withmultiple floors, multiple staircases connecting each floor, andconvenient interconnecting landings. Further, the present inventioncomprises multiple electric, electronic, entertainment and HVAC systemsthat enable users to have a comfortable and enjoyable work out session.Furthermore, a security system with emergency buttons, and a pluralityof lighting devices integrated into the tower structure, make thepresent invention a safe workout place. Thus, the present inventionprovides a safe, well lit, less traffic, and comfortable environment inthe vertical exercise system.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present invention is to provide users with an indoorclimate-controlled stair tower, where they can obtain a cardio workoutand lower body strengthen in comfort, away from the weather elements,(heat, rain, snow and cold weather) and exercise in a safe facility awayfrom the harm of motor vehicles. Accordingly, the present inventioncomprises a tower structure with multiple floors, multiple staircasesconnecting each floor, and convenient interconnecting landings. Further,the present invention comprises multiple electric, electronic,audio-visual, and HVAC systems that enable users to have a comfortableand enjoyable work out session. Furthermore, a security system withemergency buttons, and a plurality of lighting devices integrated intothe tower structure, make the present invention a safe workout place.Thus, the present invention provides a safe, well lit, less traffic, andcomfortable environment in the vertical exercise system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an interior view of a tower structure, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top floor plan interior view of the tower structure of thepresent invention, wherein a pair of staircases are mounted adjacent toeach other.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the present invention, accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top-front-left perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the present invention, wherein componentsother than plurality of staircases and plurality of interconnectinglandings are illustrated, according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of drawings are for the purpose of describing selectedversions of the present invention and are not intended to limit thescope, configuration or design.

In reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 , the present invention is avertical fitness center stair tower system. An objective of the presentinvention is to provide users with an indoor climate-controlled stairtower, where they can obtain a cardio workout and lower body strengthenin comfort, away from the weather elements, (heat, rain, snow and coldweather) and exercise in a safe facility away from the harm of motorvehicles. Accordingly, the present invention comprises a tower structurewith multiple floors, multiple staircases connecting each floor, andconvenient interconnecting landings. Further, the present inventioncomprises multiple electric, electronic, audio-visual, and HVAC systemsthat enable users to have a comfortable and enjoyable work out session.Furthermore, a security system with emergency buttons, and a pluralityof lighting devices integrated into the present invention, projects asafe workout place. More specifically, the present invention provides anexercise device that solves foot traffic on normal stair cases andsolves problems with exercising in all types of weather, that arise withrunning outdoors or using normal staircases. Thus, the present inventionprovides a safe, well lit, less traffic, and comfortable environment inthe vertical exercise system.

The following description is in reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 .According to a preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises atower structure 1, a cavity 2, a plurality of floors 3, a plurality ofstaircases 4, a plurality of interconnecting landings 5, a securitysystem 6, and a HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system7. Preferably, the tower structure 1 is a vertical building that may bebuilt in place or modular assembled in a factory and assembled unit byunit in place. Further, the tower structure 1 may be made with anysturdy material, such as concrete, steel or other structurally soundfireproof material. In designing the tower structure 1 (e.g., fitnesscenter) that accommodates the present invention, many differentassemblies, including walls, columns, and fasteners, may be needed toform the overall building's structure and to manage loads and forces.The assemblies may be standardized through a limited number of uniquelydesigned standardized wall panels, trusses, fasteners, and other framingcomponents. However, in preferred embodiments, the present invention isconstructed as a whole as a single structure, and the stair exercisedevice of the present invention may be prefabricated before the presentinvention can be installed in the building or any other structure.However, the tower structure 1 may comprise any other material, size,shape, dimensions, components, arrangement of components etc. that areknown to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of thepresent invention are not altered. Furthermore, the cavity 2 traversesnormally and centrally within the tower structure 1, such that theplurality of staircases 4 and the plurality of interconnecting landings5 are mounted within the cavity 2. Preferably, the cavity 2 extendsbetween a first end 1 a of the tower structure 1 and a second end 1 b ofthe tower structure 1, wherein the first end 1 a is positioned oppositeto the second end 1 b across the tower structure 1. More specifically,the first end 1 a constitutes a top end of the tower structure 1, andthe second end 1 b constitutes a bottom end of the tower structure 1. Asseen in FIG. 1 , the plurality of floors 3 is evenly distributed withinthe tower structure 1, wherein each of the plurality of floors 3 islaterally offset from one another. As seen in FIG. 1 , and in thepreferred embodiment, the plurality of floors 3 comprises ten floors.However, the tower structure 1 may comprise any other number of floorsand staircases. According to the preferred embodiment, each of theplurality of staircases 4 comprises a plurality of stairs 8. Theplurality of staircases 4 and the plurality of stairs 8 can be of anysuitable size and can be made of concrete or virtually any other desiredmaterial that will provide adequate strength and weather resistance andprovide the desired aesthetic qualities. Further, the plurality ofstairs 8 may include any number of steps.

The plurality of staircases 4 is connected to plurality ofinterconnecting landings 5, or in other words, the plurality ofinterconnecting landings 5, connect the plurality of staircases 4.Preferably, each of the plurality of interconnecting landings 5 isevenly distributed along a corresponding floor 3 a, wherein thecorresponding floor 3 a is from the plurality of floors 3. This is sothat, the plurality of interconnecting landing 5 provides access to onestaircase from another staircase, and vice versa, allowing the user tochange the climbing direction (from up to down or from down to up)during the exercise. Furthermore, a first set of staircases 4 a ismounted between the corresponding floor 3 a and an adjacent floor 3 b,wherein the first set of staircases 4 a are from the plurality ofstaircases 4, the corresponding floor 3 a is from the plurality offloors 3, and the adjacent floor 3 b is from the plurality of floors 3.More specifically, as seen in FIG. 1 , two staircases (or the first setof staircases 4 a) connect a first floor (corresponding floor 3 a) and asecond floor (adjacent floor 3 b). Thus, the corresponding floor 3 a andthe adjacent floor 3 b are positioned adjacent to each other.

In reference to FIG. 1 , and as an example, assume that the presentinvention comprises a first interconnecting landing 5 a, a second set ofstaircases 4 b, and a third set of staircases 4 c. Preferably, the firstinterconnecting landing 5 a is integrated between the second set ofstaircases 4 b and the third set of staircases 4 c, wherein the firstinterconnecting landing 5 a is from the plurality of interconnectinglandings 5. Further, according to the preferred embodiment, the secondset of staircases 4 b start or begin from the first interconnectinglanding 5 a and the third set of staircases 4 c end or culminate at thefirst interconnecting landing 5 a, wherein the second set of staircases4 b and the third set of staircases 4 c are from the plurality ofstaircases 4. As seen in FIG. 1 , two staircases (the second set) go upfrom the first interconnecting landing 5 a, and the two other staircases(the third set) go down from the first interconnecting landing 5 a. Inother words, in the preferred embodiment, the plurality of staircases 4is secured to the interconnecting landings 5 so that a stair exercisedevice can have two or more staircases connected side by side. Forexample, as seen in FIG. 2 , a first staircase may include stairs forclimbing up, and the second staircase may include stairs for climbingdown or vice versa. However, it should be noted that, there is no limitto the number of staircases or height of the tower. In one embodiment,the present invention can include ten (10) stair stringers and 9interconnecting landings. More specifically, the present invention maybe in a 10-story building (approx. 100′ high) with special designedstairs where multiple people can climb, intermittently. The firststaircase may include nine stairs for climbing up, with each stairconnected with an interconnecting landing. The second staircase may alsoinclude nine stairs for climbing up, with each stair connected with aninterconnecting landing.

In reference to FIG. 5 , the security system 6 and the HVAC system 7 areintegrated within each of the plurality of floors 3. Preferably, thesecurity system 6 comprises a plurality of security cameras 9, and aplurality of emergency call buttons 10, wherein the plurality ofsecurity cameras 9, and the plurality of emergency call buttons 10 areevenly distributed within the tower structure 1. This is so that, thesecurity system 6 enables users to request for help in any emergencysituation with the push of a button. To that end, the plurality ofemergency call buttons 10 is accessibly positioned within the reach of auser 11 within the tower structure 1. Further, the security system 6comprises constant surveillance of the entire tower structure 1 with thehelp of the plurality of security cameras 9.

The HVAC system 7 ensures that the interior of the tower structure 1 hasclean air, and the temperature/humidity levels are maintained at levelsthat are ideal for a workout environment, throughout the year.

It is an objective of the present invention, to provide a well-lit spaceideal for exercising. To accomplish this, the present inventioncomprises a plurality of lighting devices 12, wherein the plurality oflighting devices 12 is evenly distributed within the tower structure 1.It should be noted that the plurality of lighting devices 12 maycomprise any size, shape, color, mode, technology, number, location,orientation, components, arrangement of components etc. that are knownto one of ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of thepresent invention are not altered. Continuing with the preferredembodiment, the present invention comprises an entertainment system 13,wherein the entertainment system 13 comprises a plurality ofaudio-visual units 14, and a remote control 15. This is so that, duringthe workout session, users may be entertained by music, motivationalmessages, videos, and be alerted by notification voice messages (whenneeded). The plurality of audio-visual units 14 may comprise any digitalscreen, sound system, music system, speakers, etc. that are known to oneof ordinary skill in the art, as long as the intents of the presentinvention are not altered. Examples of which include, but are notlimited to television screens, centralized or localized Bluetoothspeakers, wall projectors, etc. To accomplish the smooth functioning ofthe components as well as for providing entertainment at all the floors,the entertainment system 13 is electronically integrated within thetower structure 1, and the plurality of audio-visual units 14 are evenlydistributed among the plurality of floors 3. However, there may be aprovision for each user to adjust the audio-visual units 14 bythemselves as well. In other words, the plurality of audio-visual units14 may be operably coupled with the remote control 15, wherein manuallyoperating the remote control 15 enables functioning of the plurality ofaudio-visual units 14. It should be noted that any mode of remote orwireless communication modules that are known to one of ordinary skillin the art may be employed for operating the entertainment system 13, aslong as the objectives of the present invention are fulfilled. Examplestandards of what the wireless communication module is capable of usingincludes, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, WI-FI, GSM, CDMA, ZigBee,etc.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , the present invention comprises aplurality of glass windows 16, wherein the plurality of glass windows 16is laterally integrated onto the tower structure 1. This is because,some users might prefer to see the green views of plants and trees, orthe human life happening outside the tower structure 1. Thus, with thehelp of the plurality of glass windows 16 on the walls of the towerstructure 1, the user 11 may also experience the view outside of thetower structure 1, during the workout.

According to the preferred embodiment, the user 11 of the presentinvention may control the temperature and humidity levels within thetower structure 1. To accomplish that, the present invention comprises aclimate control unit 17, wherein the climate control unit 17 is operablycoupled with the HVAC system 7. Preferably, operating the climatecontrol unit 17 governs temperature and humidity adjustments of the HVACsystem 7. Further, for easy access, the climate control unit 17 isaccessibly mounted within the reach of the user 11 within the towerstructure 1. Preferably, the HVAC system 7 comprises HEPA filters forair quality with emphasis on oxygen. However, the climate control unit17, as well as other electric and electronic components of the presentinvention may be centrally controlled from outside the tower structure 1as well, by the fitness center officials.

As seen in FIG. 3 through FIG. 5 , the present invention comprises afacility building 18. In the preferred embodiment, the facility building18 is an extension of the fitness center where the user may haveadditional exercise equipment, refreshments etc. Preferably, thefacility building 18 is positioned adjacent to the tower structure 1,such that the user 11 may safely keep his belongings, take a shower,have a snack etc. before or after the user's workout in the towerstructure 1. Accordingly, the facility building 18 comprises a pluralityof lockers 19, a plurality of washrooms 20, and a refreshment center 21.However, the facility building 18 may comprise any other amenities andservices that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art, as long asthe intents of the present invention are not altered.

Various embodiments of the present invention include one or more of thefollowing features:

(1) two or more staircases with varying configurations (U shape,circular spiral, etc.) for physical stair climbing and possessinginterconnecting landings (normal staircases are a single set of stairswith intermittent landings and no interconnecting landings). Onestaircase is used exclusively to walk up, and the connecting staircaseis used exclusively to walk down. At any landing, users walking up candecide to go down by simply walking on the interconnecting landing tothe down staircase. Users on the down staircase can decide to walk upagain by walking across the interconnecting landing and resuming walkingup.

(2) Most staircases have an intermittent landing between floors, whereasthe stringers of the present invention run from floor elevation to floorelevation with no intermittent landings, increasing the difficulty ofclimbing stairs.

(3) The present invention is a specifically designed for aself-contained free-standing building, not a mechanical device, with aspecial configuration of stairs and floor landings used exclusively forcardio workouts.

(4) The present invention and/or the stair tower that includes thepresent invention will have extensive lighting, a sound system (music &PA), security cameras, digital screens (for message & motivation), andHVAC (with an emphasis on oxygen and HEPA filters for quality).

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vertical fitness center stair tower system,comprising: a tower structure; a cavity; a plurality of floors; aplurality of staircases; a plurality of interconnecting landings; asecurity system; a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)system; the cavity traversing normally and centrally within the towerstructure; the plurality of staircases and the plurality ofinterconnecting landing being mounted within the cavity; the cavityextending between a first end of the tower structure and a second end ofthe tower structure, wherein the first end is positioned opposite to thesecond end across the tower structure; the plurality of floors beingevenly distributed within the tower structure; each of the plurality offloors being laterally offset from one another; each of the plurality ofstaircases comprising a plurality of stairs; a first set of staircasesbeing mounted between a corresponding floor and an adjacent floor,wherein the first set of staircases are from the plurality ofstaircases, the corresponding floor is from the plurality of floors, andthe adjacent floor is from the plurality of floors; the plurality ofinterconnecting landings connecting the plurality of staircases; each ofthe plurality of interconnecting landings being evenly distributed alongthe corresponding floor, wherein the corresponding floor is from theplurality of floors; the security system and the HVAC system beingintegrated within the tower structure.
 2. The vertical fitness centerstair tower system of claim 1, wherein the corresponding floor and theadjacent floor are positioned adjacent to each other.
 3. The verticalfitness center stair tower system of claim 1, comprising: a firstinterconnecting landing, a second set of staircases, and a third set ofstaircases; the first interconnecting landing being integrated betweenthe second set of staircases and the third set of staircases, whereinthe first interconnecting landing is from the plurality ofinterconnecting landings; the second set of staircases starting from thefirst interconnecting landing and the third set of staircases ending atthe first interconnecting landing, wherein the second set of staircasesand the third set of staircases are from the plurality of staircases. 4.The vertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 1, the securitysystem comprising: a plurality of security cameras; a plurality ofemergency call buttons; the plurality of security cameras, and theplurality of emergency call buttons being evenly distributed within thetower structure; and the plurality of emergency call buttons beingaccessibly positioned within the reach of a user within the towerstructure.
 5. The vertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 1,comprising: a plurality of lighting devices; and the plurality oflighting devices being distributed within the tower structure.
 6. Thevertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 1, comprising: anentertainment system; the entertainment system comprising a plurality ofaudio-visual units, and a remote control; the entertainment system beingelectrically and electronically integrated within the tower structure;the plurality of audio-visual units being evenly distributed among theplurality of floors; the plurality of audio-visual units being operablycoupled with the remote control, wherein manually operating the remotecontrol enables functioning of the plurality of audio-visual units. 7.The vertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 1, comprising: aplurality of glass windows; and the plurality of glass windows beinglaterally integrated onto the tower structure.
 8. The vertical fitnesscenter stair tower system of claim 1, wherein plurality of floors is tenfloors.
 9. The vertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 1,comprising: a climate control unit; the climate control unit beingoperably coupled with the HVAC system, wherein operating the climatecontrol unit governs temperature and humidity adjustments of the HVACsystem; the climate control unit being accessibly mounted for a userwithin the tower structure.
 10. The vertical fitness center stair towersystem of claim 1, comprising a facility building; the facility buildingcomprising a plurality of lockers, a plurality of washrooms, and arefreshment center; and the facility building being positioned adjacentto the tower structure.
 11. A vertical fitness center stair towersystem, comprising: a tower structure; a cavity; a plurality of floors;a plurality of staircases; a plurality of interconnecting landings; aplurality of security cameras; a plurality of emergency call buttons; aplurality of lighting devices; a heating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC) system; the cavity traversing normally and centrallywithin the tower structure; the plurality of staircases and theplurality of interconnecting landing being mounted within the cavity;the cavity extending between a first end of the tower structure and asecond end of the tower structure, wherein the first end is positionedopposite to the second end across the tower structure; the plurality offloors being evenly distributed within the tower structure; each of theplurality of floors being laterally offset from one another; each of theplurality of staircases comprising a plurality of stairs; a first set ofstaircases being mounted between a corresponding floor and an adjacentfloor, wherein the first set of staircases are from the plurality ofstaircases, the corresponding floor is from the plurality of floors, andthe adjacent floor is from the plurality of floors; the plurality ofinterconnecting landings connecting the plurality of staircases; each ofthe plurality of interconnecting landings being evenly distributed alongthe corresponding floor, wherein the corresponding floor is from theplurality of floors; the plurality of security cameras, and theplurality of emergency call buttons being evenly distributed within thetower structure; the plurality of emergency call buttons beingaccessibly positioned within the reach of a user within the towerstructure; and the HVAC system and the plurality of lighting devicesbeing integrated within the tower structure.
 12. The vertical fitnesscenter stair tower system of claim 11, wherein the corresponding floorand the adjacent floor are positioned adjacent to each other.
 13. Thevertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 11, comprising: anentertainment system; the entertainment system comprising a plurality ofaudio-visual units, and a remote control; the entertainment system beingelectronically integrated within the tower structure; the plurality ofaudio-visual units being evenly distributed among the plurality offloors; the plurality of audio-visual units being operably coupled withthe remote control, wherein manually operating the remote controlenables functioning of the plurality of audio-visual units.
 14. Thevertical fitness center stair tower system of claim 11, comprising: aplurality of glass windows; and the plurality of glass windows beinglaterally integrated onto the tower structure.
 15. The vertical fitnesscenter stair tower system of claim 11, wherein plurality of floors isten floors.
 16. The vertical fitness center stair tower system of claim11, comprising: a climate control unit; the climate control unit beingoperably coupled with the HVAC system, wherein operating the climatecontrol unit governs temperature and humidity adjustments of the HVACsystem; the climate control unit being accessibly mounted for a userwithin the tower structure.
 17. The vertical fitness center stair towersystem of claim 11, comprising a facility building; the facilitybuilding comprising a plurality of lockers, a plurality of washrooms,and a refreshment center; and the facility building being positionedadjacent to the tower structure.